In The Beginning

              Reading John 1:1-10 quoted below, the verses begin with “In the beginning…”  We know that John being led by God is speaking of a “beginning” that was before the “beginning” of any sign of our universe, our world, and our lives.  It is the beginning before time, a beginning, which to our finite minds is incomprehensible.  It tells us “The Word,” [The Preincarnate Jesus] was there.

              As we start a new beginning, (a New Year and the “beginning” of a New Decade,) I want us to reflect on another “beginning.”  I think we ought to consider our new birth beginning, the time God instilled into our hearts a new thought and a new song.   On that day you became a new creature.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

As Christian’s, you and I became “new” when we accepted Jesus the Christ as our personal Saviour.  In our reflection, we as individuals need to look at what we as Christians have done in His name.

John 14:15   If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Our Salvation should reflect our love for Jesus.  In that love lies “our work.”  Our love for Jesus should be demonstrated by a work of service, a work within “our new beginning.” 

              If you cannot say, “Lord, I have done good works for you,” then purpose in your heart to proceed with a new “beginning” in this New Year and this New Decade to follow and keep His commandments.

              Be the best you can be, and know within your heart that you are a servant of God.  Do all you can this New Year; but also in this decade, and the next decades.

Bro. John R. E Chastain

John 1:1-10  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  (4)  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  (5)  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.  (6)  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  (7)  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.  (8)  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.  (9)  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  (10)  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

Called Out of Egypt

                Reading Matthew 2:13-16 quoted below, we can see Hosea telling us:

Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

This leaves us needing to have the knowledge of what this phrase “…and called my son out of Egypt” means. (We must know that Jesus knew no sin, that He was sin free.  He lived a sin free life.)  However, within the Bible this phrase depicts an unsaved person moving from a sin-ridden life to a life free of those bonds.

              I was called “…out of Egypt…” on January 19, 1993, about 3:30 in the afternoon.  As a fifty-one year old sinner, God granted me a new life, a life that no longer was bound by sin.  Those shackles have been loosened from me.  I had a new liberty, a liberty that allowed me more freedom than I had ever had before.

              A woman once told me, that as a Baptist I could do whatever I wanted because I believed that “Once Saved, Always Saved.”  I told her that was without a doubt true that “I could do whatever I wanted.”  (She began telling me about Baptists in bars and out dancing and carousing.)

              (That is when I corrected her viewpoint.)  I certainly could do what I wanted; however, since my “coming out,” my “want to’s” have changed.  I was out of “Egypt” and those things she was discussing were no longer on my “want to” list.  Concerning those Baptists that she saw in “Egypt” my notion is “they never came out.”  They may have made a “profession” in their mind, but their feet and heart never left “Egypt.”  They are still sons “of your father the devil”

John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Someone may say he is a Christian, but it is “his walk” that will show the “Egyptian” where his feet are planted.  After you were called “…out of Egypt…,” if your “want to’s” didn’t change, you then need to look and see where your feet are planted.  Do you know if God has called you “…out of Egypt…?”                                                                 

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Matthew 2:13-16  And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.  (14)  When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:  (15)  And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.  (16)  Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

THE BELL - Merry CHRISTmas

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ.  (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3 :20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God  (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good  (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13 )
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16).   I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?

(Numbers 6:24-26)
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

T'was The Night Before Christmas And Out On The Ranch

T'was The Night Before Christmas And Out On The Ranch
The pond was froze over and so was the branch.The snow was piled up belly-deep to a mule.
The kids were all home on vacation from school,

And happier young folks you never did see-
Just all sprawled around a-watchin' TV.
Then suddenly, some time around 8 o'clock,
There came a surprise that gave them a shock!

The power went off, the TV went dead! 

When Grandpa came in from out in the shed
With an armload of wood, the house was all dark.
"Just what I expected," they heard him remark.

"Them power line wires must be down from the snow. 

Seems sorter like times on the ranch long ago."
"I'll hunt up some candles," said Mom.  "With their light,
And the fireplace, I reckon we'll make out all right."

The teen-agers all seemed enveloped in gloom. 

Then Grandpa came back from a trip to his room,
Uncased his old fiddle and started to play
That old Christmas song about bells on a sleigh.

Mom started to sing, and 1st thing they knew 

Both Pop and the kids were all singing it, too.
They sang Christmas carols, they sang "Holy Night,"
Their eyes all a-shine in the ruddy firelight.

They played some charades Mom recalled from her youth, 

And Pop read a passage from God's Book of Truth.
They stayed up till midnight-and, would you believe,
The youngsters agreed 'twas a fine Christmas Eve.

Grandpa rose early, some time before dawn; 

And when the kids wakened, the power was on.
"The power company sure got the line repaired quick,"
Said Grandpa - and no one suspected his trick.

Last night, for the sake of some old-fashioned fun, 

He had pulled the main switch - the old Son-of-a-Gun!
-anonymous

The Glory of The Lord

                In Luke 2:8-15 quoted below, we see the “angel of the Lord” show Himself to the shepherds.  We also see that “the glory of the Lord shone round about” the shepherds.

              In our day and time, the “angel of the Lord” is defined as an earthly messenger of God. 

Revelation 3:7  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

The “angel” defined in this verse and the other six “angel[s]” defined in Revelation Chapters Two and Three are the Pastors of those Churches.  As we consider our definition, any hearer of God’s Word becomes an “angel of the Lord,” and consequently, in our vernacular we have become a “messenger” for the LORD.  As a messenger, it is our task to have the power to show “the glory of the Lord shone round about.”  We are to relay God’s Word to those who have not heard and  let them see the “glory of the Lord,”  (to those who are sliding down a hill with no direction, and have not realized there is a way out.)

              This CHRISTmas Season: remember that our duty as messengers of God is to not only share the story of the birth of Jesus, but also the Gospel of Jesus.  Tell them that this Jesus is the same Jesus that was on the “Old Rugged Cross” and shed His blood for the remission of all humanity’s sins.  He was then buried and on the third day God raised Him from the grave so we might have a Living Saviour, the Lord Jesus the Christ. 

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

All God asks of us, (to become a CHRISTian,) is to confess to others that God raised Jesus from the grave, and He will save us.

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Luke 2:8-15  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  (9)  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  (10)  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  (11)  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  (12)  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  (13)  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  (14)  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  (15)  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

His Mercy

                In Luke 1:50-53 quoted below, (v 50) is the defining verse, but we first must define “…fear…”  Fear is defined as “Reverence, standing in awe.”  This does not mean that as a Christian we should be cowering in the corner of a room and terribly afraid.

            With this in mind, my thoughts go to Jonah as he preached to Nineveh.  The city, all of it, was saved.  God extended His mercy to the Ninevites.  He repented and did not destroy them or the city.  At least then, however, (v 50) gives us the conditions under which God’s Mercy exists:  as long as our respect for Him is evident from “…generation to generation…”

            The Ninevites failed in their “…fear…” of God.  They failed to pass down from “…generation to generation…” and consequently, Nineveh became a wasted city, (just common dust, as God did not give His mercy in the final round, and Nineveh was destroyed.)

            This is the Season, we typically pay homage: “…fear…” to the Christ child, the babe in the manger, our God and Saviour Jesus.  We need to remember to pass down from “…generation to generation…” the “…fear…” of the Lord.

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

              God is Everything, He is our All in All, and He gave us His Son, born of a virgin.  We as Christians must pass down to our next generation and to our children’s generation, so that His Mercy will be passed down, and our heirs will continue in His Mercy.

            The greatest gift we can give our children is to pass to them the respect and devotion of our Lord Jesus so that when God calls us home, we can know that they know His Mercy “endureth forever.”

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Luke 1:50-53  And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.  (51)  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  (52)  He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.  (53)  He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Trees of Righteousness

In Isaiah 61:1-3 quoted below, we see a multitude of reasons why Christ came the first time.  When we read some of the reasons, the first is “…to preach good tidings unto the meek…”  We are also told in Luke 19:10, He “…is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”  If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour, then Christ got His “good tidings” “preached” to us when we were meek and lost.

              During the Christmas season, it is so easy to be distracted by the “goings on” around us.  Yet, in our Salvation, we as individual CHRISTians, and as a Church are to Glorify God  in all that we do.  To participate in these “goings on” is not wrong, it is that in doing so, we must Glorify God.

              A lot of time will be spent concerning whether this is the “CHRISTmas Season” or is it a “Holiday Season.”  I would prefer it to be called what it has been called, “The CHRISTmas Season.”  Yet, our efforts ought to be getting the story of The Birth of Christ to every person we know.  

              Our CHRISTmas Cards ought to reflect the Bible we call God’s Word.  (We as CHRISTians ought to reflect CHRIST in all we do.)

              Emphasize Christ’s birth, but tell of the day He bore our sins, died on that “Old Rugged Cross,” was buried, and on the third day God raised him up from the grave, so that those who accept God’s Son, Jesus, will have everlasting life.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

              Jesus came that we might “…be called trees of righteousness...”  Why did Isaiah compare us to a tree?  Because a tree can represent many sizes, many shapes, and a multitude of strengths, yet, they all represent God.  We are made into something that the world can see and should reflect God’s purpose for His Son.  Are you that tree, a tree that regardless of your color, your shape, your strength, reflects God’s intent, His will for you?   This is something you as a CHRISTian must answer for yourself.  As a “whosoever” described in John 3:16, do you believe that God has raised Him from the dead? 

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

              God asks for two things from you: “confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus” and do you, “…believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead…”  If you can answer both with “Yes,” God will save you eternally with Him and His Son, Jesus.  

Bro John R. E Chastain

Isaiah 61:1-3  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;  (2)  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;  (3)  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

For Unto Us

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

            Within these words rest our whole faith.  The one verse describes the future Son of God, the other verse, the announcement of the birth of that Son, the “…only begotten Son,..” of God.  A portion of the future is revealed.  Within a few days we will celebrate the birth of a man called Jesus, the “only begotten Son” of God.  

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

                        

            It is not the birth of God, but the birth of His Son who “…shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  

            He is first and foremost “Christ the Lord.”  He was born for a purpose and that is to “glorify God.”      That purpose is what we, (who are called by His name, CHRISTians) have. 

1 Corinthians 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Jesus’ goal here on earth was to “glorify God,” consequently, we as CHRISTians have been given the same task.   Our single focus as a CHRISTian is to “glorify God.”

            We were given a Saviour to lead us, to guide us, to teach us, but also to save us from an eternal burning Hell.  

            This CHRISTmas Season, spend time first and foremost with Jesus at home, and in His Church house.   If you haven’t been to church much this year, get with God this month.  He will help you become more faithful next year.  Also, spend time with your family, those immediately around you, and if physically possible with those who live away.  We “glorify God” in our lives.  Be what you claim, be the CHRISTian you claim to be.  

            In all, do remember, “For unto you is born” a Saviour.  The “unto you” makes Him a personal gift, an everlasting gift.  We have been given a home in heaven with Jesus and His Father, our God.

            I realize there are people who may read this article and have never accepted Jesus the Christ as their personal Saviour.  Our King James Bible teaches that without Christ they are lost, yet Christ lives for them also.

                        

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

            You may be acquainted, you may have heard His story, but you have never put Him within your heart.  We are told in John 3:16 that if you will believe, God will give you everlasting life.   I know some will say, “God knows what I have done and He would never accept me.”  The word “whosoever” in John 3:16 tells us that regardless of what you are, or what you have been, He will save you if you believe.

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Jesus won the Victory over the grave.  If you confess in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God, and believe that God has raised him from that grave, God will save you from the grave, and give you everlasting life.  Accept Him, follow him, and live a life after Him.           

Bro John R. E Chastain

Unto You Is Born

             In Luke 2:8-15 quoted below, we see the “…shepherds were abiding in the field.”  Tradition states, or tells us that the sheep were sired in July, and that the resulting births were about five months later in December.  This tradition also states that shepherds then and now stay with the flocks during this time to help the ewe’s birth their lambs.

              Knowing this, our scripture tells us the shepherds were in the fields for a specific reason.  Their annual profits were what was birthed in those few days.

              Yet, as they watched, an angel appeared to them and made his announcement.  This announcement was more important than their reason to be in the fields.  “Unto you is born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”  The shepherds understood the importance of this declaration.  They spent little time pondering or dawdling.  The scripture in (v15) tells us they left with haste.

              I want to dwell on the phrase below, “For unto you is born...”  Isaiah 9:6 states “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:…”  These statements are very personal, “us” and “you.”  These phrases are: the first toIsrael, and the second to Christians, or anyone who will listen.  

              These phrases make Jesus’ birth a very personal happening.  They are very personal to each of us who have called upon, and bowed to His name.  This is so important that we need to lay aside all our concerns, our problems, our vices, and relish in the thought He was born for YOU.

              As heirs of Abraham, He was born for US.

Galatians 3:29  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

And as an heir, where is our Christmas spirit?  Can we say we have talked more about Jesus than we have about Santa Claus?  All our purchased gifts, that we have put on our over burdened credit cards, and all that we receive, are gifts of God through His Son Jesus.

              This Christmas, put aside 10% of your time, (tithe time,) to God and His Son Jesus.  Involve your children and grandchildren.  Teach them this Christmas Story.  Let them know the reason.  It isn’t those presents, it is the gift of salvation.  It is the gift of eternal, everlasting, forevermore existence with God and His Son.                                                                                    

Bro John R. E Chastain

Luke 2:8-15  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  (9)  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  (10)  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  (11)  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  (12)  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  (13)  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  (14)  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  (15)  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Our Witness Season

(James 4:17)  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Here we are at the start of the Christmas Season.  A season of merriment, happiness, and most of our thoughts are on what to buy for our spouse and the children, and of course everyone else.  

This is the season, where if we are observant, we can witness to others concerning Jesus, His birth, death, and resurrection, even though there seems to be a lot of controversy concerning what we can and what we cannot do regarding our faith.

              The one thing that we can do is witness to others.  This is the season where “Our Walk and our Talk” will be observed by more people than we can imagine.  As a Christian, we are to witness for Christ.  It is the core of what we are taught.

(Acts 22:15)  For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

              So when at the “Mall,” or the grocery store, or any other retail or business establishment, when God touches our heart to witness to someone, it is our task, as a Christian, to witness to that person, (not talk weather, but talk God) and tell them how you got saved, and what God has done for us through His Son Jesus.  Tell them what Christmas means to us.

              If we go back to the verse we started with, “…him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, and to him it is sin.”  We see that by keeping quiet we are sinning.  Sinning is something we ought not to do, yet by doing “Good” and failing to witness it is a sin.

              So if we feed several families by buying them groceries and purchasing their children some Christmas presents, without the mention of God and His Son we have still sinned.

              I do not want to put a damper on giving and doing good, however, we need to do all these things and help those who are less fortunate.  Yet, if we fail to give the “Reason for the Season,” and why God came to be born as a man and to die for our sins, what does all the good matter?

(Luke 19:10)  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

So, use a witness tract, take some with you when you go shopping and hand them out.  Do your job for Christ, and do have a Merry CHRISTmas.                       

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Are You Ready?

       Whenever I read the verses in Isaiah 11:1-5 quoted below, verses that Paul set down in 1 Thessalonians come to my mind:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Then I start envisioning Jesus’ return for us, Hallelujah, because Jesus is coming, and in my mind, He has arrived.  As I come back to the realization that He hasn’t made that return, I still live with the knowledge that He will return.

              As we approach this CHRISTmas Season, and we “wont” to Glorify this Baby Jesus, we need to refresh our minds about His Gospel, His Life, His Death, His Burial, and His Resurrection from the grave.  In that refreshment,

consider His imminent return.  We have expected His Return for thousands of years, and His return could be momentarily or at any time.

              The question I seem to always ask myself is, “Are you ready for Him John? Are you ready?”  There are days in my life I would have to tell you that I am not, my head isn’t on straight.  I find then that my devotion, my prayer life, my Bible reading hasn’t been what it should have been.  It requires effort on my part to move myself back to where I ought to be for His return.  This effort is a choice I make.  It should be a choice made on a daily basis.

              I know the thought question is; “I am saved; I am going to heaven, then aren’t I ready?”  If you have accepted Jesus as your personal Saviour, yes, Heaven is your home, and a mansion awaits you.  The “ready” part is a two-headed coin.  God tells us to obey His Son in all that Jesus asks:  pray without ceasing, read the scriptures, do not forsake the assembling of the brethren, and on and on it goes.  Where do you stand with Jesus today?  You must make the choice.  First, choose Him, Jesus, and then get ready, for He may be on His way.

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Isaiah 11:1-5  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:  (2)  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;  (3)  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:  (4)  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  (5)  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

Good Grief Charlie Brown

                In Isaiah 2:3-4 quoted below, Isaiah speaks to us concerning “walking in the way of the Lord.”  Our walk should always be a walk that is serious in nature.  This is not to say that we as Christians must never have fun or enjoy our secular lives.

                  However, a skit was recently sent to me on Face-Book that was supposed to be hilarious.  My wife and I started watching it and I was appalled.  It began with a young couple who were at an auto dealership to purchase a new car.  Before going in they agreed that they were “just looking.”  The salesman appeared and they asked about a particular car they were interested in, but at that time, they were “just looking.”  The salesman immediately said, “Let’s pray about it,” and began to pray using our Saviour’s name and the name of our Father in his prayer. (This was repeated several times before I turned it off.)

                                   

Exodus 20:7  Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

My response was that the skit was blasphemous and it was blatantly taking the name of our Lord in vain.  I know, “Bro John lighten up.”  To those who ask me to lighten up, I want to ask you a question, “Do you know what it means to take the name of our Lord in vain?”  To begin with, any cuss word that simulates or directly takes His name is blasphemy, and it is using His name in vain.  (In vain involves useless use.  Using God’s name or the name of His Son Jesus in persistent and serious prayer is not useless.)  The offering of prayer in Jesus’ name in this skit was not done seriously; it was done to create satire, and that is blasphemy. 

                  The person who sent the skit did apologize with some exceptions. She claimed to have grown up in a fundamental Baptist Church and the Baptist College she attended had such skits.  One person who responded in her defense opened with “Good Grief…”  (That is where I attained the title for this article.) 

                  As long as I am Pastor at our Church, this type of a blasphemous skit, or the taking of God’s name with vanity will not be tolerated.  (I know some people in this town think of us as the odd Church, and our legalistic views.  That is okay by me.  We attempt to set standards, and define a walk that will please God.)

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

              In terms of what God lays down in His Word, (our King James Bible,) we as Christians need to examine what is put in front of us.  If what we are looking at is humor or art, does God appreciate us enjoying something that is blasphemy to Him?  Our scriptures guide us, and we are told we all fall short of the glory of God.  However, that should never keep us from looking for the path to His Righteousness.  So, what is keeping us from following the Ten Commandments?  It is our falling short of His expectations!   Is that your excuse?  We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard, a standard that would be “holy, acceptable to God.”                                                                

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Isaiah 2:3-4  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  (4)  And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

O Give Thanks

                In Psalm 136:1-3 quoted below, we see the same phrase repeated over and over, “…for his mercy endureth for ever.”  As we ponder God’s miraculous blessings that He has bestowed on us, I do hope and pray this week you will ponder on Him.  It may not be evident to all that God’s mercy through His son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus the Christ is available to all of us. 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The portion of John 3:16 that may be over looked is “…whosoever believeth…”  The word “whosoever” may be the key word in this verse.  It tells us that regardless of our situation in life, and regardless of what we are or have been, the God of Heaven loves us.

              Our Psalmist tells us “…he is good…” and also states that we need to thank Him, “the God of gods,” and the “Lord of lords.”  There is none other.

              Therefore, remember during this Thanksgiving Day: (the family gatherings, the parades, the football, the shopping trips. etc. etc,) the most important activity must be our giving thanks to God for our families and friends, for the TV to watch the games, the car to drive to shop, and the available bounty with which He has blessed us.

              He is the One who gives us our daily blessings.  He is the One who gives us the income to put turkey, the dressing, and all those pies, (even the canned cranberry sauce) on our table Thanksgiving Day.

Psalms 100:4  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Before you lift a fork or spoon to your lips, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving.”  With a true sincere heart, let us each be Thankful for all He has given,  “O give thanks.”

                       

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Psalms 136:1-3  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.  (2)  O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.  (3)  O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.